ACTS 14 - PERIL AND TEARS

Paul and Barnabas are on a missionary journey and they are continuing to face opposition.

Paul and Barnabas in Iconium

A. They preached in the synagogue - Acts 14:1

And it came about that in Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together, and spoke in such a manner that a great multitude believed, both of Jews and of Greeks. (Acts 14:1)

B. A multitude believed - Acts 14:1

C. Unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles - Acts 14:2

But the Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles, and embittered them against the brethren. (Acts 14:2)

D. The apostles stayed a long time and the Lord blessed their preaching - Acts 14:3

Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands. (Acts 14:3)

E. The opposition sought to have then stoned - Acts 14:5

And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers, to mistreat and to stone them, (Acts 14:5)

F. They fled from the city - Acts 14:6

they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region; (Acts 14:6)

Paul And Barnabas in Lystra And Derbe

A. They preached the gospel - Acts 14:7

and there they continued to preach the gospel. (Acts 14:7)

B. Healing of the impotent man - Acts 14:8-10

And at Lystra there was sitting a certain man, without strength in his feet, lame from his mother's womb, who had never walked. This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, who, when he had fixed his gaze upon him, and had seen that he had faith to be made well, said with a loud voice, "Stand upright on your feet." And he leaped up and began to walk. (Acts 14:8-10)

Compare with Acts 3:6-8. He was a cripple and had faith to be healed. He was commanded to stand, so he leaped and walked.

But Peter said, "I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene-- walk!" And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. And with a leap, he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. (Acts 3:6-8)

C. Resisting the adoration of the people - Acts 14:11-18. Some of the Greeks applied to them the names of Roman gods: Jupiter, the supreme deity and Mercury the god who presided over commerce and gain. These were equivalent to the Greek gods Zeus and Hermes.

And when the multitudes saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have become like men and have come down to us." And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out and saying, "Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you in order that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, WHO MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM. "And in the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness." And even saying these things, they with difficulty restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them. (Acts 14:11-18)

D. Paul was stoned - Acts 14:19-20. Compare this with Christ in Luke 19:35-38 and Luke 23:21. Christ and Paul were worshipped one minute and slain the next.

But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. But while the disciples stood around him, he arose and entered the city. And the next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe. (Acts 14:19-20)

And they brought it to Jesus, and they threw their garments on the colt, and put Jesus on it. And as He was going, they were spreading their garments in the road. And as He was now approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen, saying, "BLESSED IS THE KING WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" (Luke 19:35-38)

but they kept on calling out, saying, "Crucify, crucify Him!" (Luke 23:21)

E. Paul and Barnabas in Derbe and area - Acts 14:21-23

And after they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. (Acts 14:21-23)

The End of the Missionary Journey

A. The return to Antioch - Acts 14:24-25

And they passed through Pisidia and came into Pamphylia. And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia; (Acts 14:24-25)

B. The report to the church in Antioch - Acts 14:27

And when they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. (Acts 14:27)

C. They stayed in Antioch - Acts 14:28

And they spent a long time with the disciples. (Acts 14:28)

Study Questions

1. What was an outstanding characteristic of the apostles witness? - Acts 14:3, Acts 4:13, Acts 4:29-31, and Acts 9:27-29

Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands. (Acts 14:3)

Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John, and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were marveling, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)

"And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Thy bond-servants may speak Thy word with all confidence, while Thou dost extend Thy hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Thy holy servant Jesus." And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:29-31)

But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus. And he was with them moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death. (Acts 9:27-29)

2. The apostles were persecuted because of the message they preached. Did they change the message to satisfy the people? - Acts 14:7

and there they continued to preach the gospel. (Acts 14:7)

3. How did the apostles react when the people wanted to worship them? - Acts 14:12-15 Compare this with Acts 10:25-26.

And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out and saying, "Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you in order that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, WHO MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM. (Acts 14:12-15)

And when it came about that Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter raised him up, saying, "Stand up; I too am just a man." (Acts 10:25-26)

4. Why did the apostles tear their clothes? - Acts 14:14

But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out (Acts 14:14)

5. Is there any comparison between the way these people treated Paul in Acts 14:12 and Acts 14:19 and the way the people treated Christ in Luke 19:35-38 and Luke 23:20-21?

And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. (Acts 14:12)

But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. (Acts 14:19)

And they brought it to Jesus, and they threw their garments on the colt, and put Jesus on it. And as He was going, they were spreading their garments in the road. And as He was now approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen, saying, "BLESSED IS THE KING WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" (Luke 19:35-38)

And Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again, but they kept on calling out, saying, "Crucify, crucify Him!" (Luke 23:20-21)

6. Did the apostles attempt to organize the new churches? - Acts 14:23

And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. (Acts 14:23)

7. What advice did the apostles give the new Christians? - Acts 14:22. What application does this have for us today?

strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:22)

8. Did the apostles worry and fret over the welfare of the new churches they had established? - Acts 14:23

And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. (Acts 14:23)